A political scientist at the University of Ghana, Dr. Kwame Asah-Asante, has supported calls by some NPP Members of Parliament (MPs) for Finance Minister, Ken Ofori-Atta, to be sacked.
The MPs, numbering about 80, held a press conference on Tuesday to impress on the President to relieve his cousin of the responsibility of managing the national purse or risk losing their support for government business going forward.
Speaking in an interview on Joy FM’s Midday News on Tuesday, Dr Asah-Asante stated that the NPP MPs' call should have come earlier.
“The decision is even long overdue. One would have thought that it has taken a long time. They have waited till this time, but you know what, better late than never,” he said.
He lauded the NPP MPs for taking the initiative to have the Minister removed from office since the President has been adamant in heeding several calls to have the Finance Minister removed from his position.
President Akufo-Addo has maintained that there is no basis for him to sack the Finance Minister.
According to him, Ken Ofori-Atta has performed his duties ‘excellently’ and he cannot relieve such a person of his position, therefore, calls to have Ken Ofori-Atta sacked are unjustified.
He added that the Minister cannot be blamed for the current economic challenges.
But Dr. Asah-Asante believes that this move is “in the right decision at the right time.” This, he explained is because, "it will now force the hand of the President if he doesn’t want to budge, then they[Majority MPs] will take the route of censure to get the Minister removed.”
“Politics as I have always said, is the contest of ideas and referendum of your work. And the work of government, particularly relating to the economy, is so important that you cannot do without and it is one variable that is the economy that influences voter choice in the country, so the party does not want to sit down for this to continue,” he stressed.
Meanwhile, the NPP MPs also want the Minister of State in charge of Finance at the Ministry of Finance, Charles Adu Boahen, also removed from office.
Latest Stories
-
ECOWAS Court orders compensation for violations against New Force’s Shalimar Abbiusi
10 mins -
Dreams FC denies allegations of attempting to sign Najeeb Yakubu
1 hour -
Election 2024: ‘Right to free and fair elections non-negotiable’ – Akufo-Addo
1 hour -
Kurt Okraku took out my passport from the U23 squad that travelled to Japan – Najeeb Yakubu alleges
1 hour -
Where hope fails: Ghana’s decaying home for the destitute
2 hours -
NDC Mining Committee for 2024 campaign refutes allegations of recruiting thugs for elections
2 hours -
Traction Control: A lifesaver with an off switch? Here’s why it exists
2 hours -
I don’t need anyman to woo me with money – Miss Malaika 2024 winner refutes pimping claims
2 hours -
”Kurt Okraku sabotaged my national team career because I refused to sign with Dreams FC” – Najeeb Yakubu
2 hours -
Businesses urged to leverage Generative AI for enhanced customer engagement
2 hours -
MultiChoice Ghana partners with Ghana Hotels Association to elevate guest entertainment
2 hours -
Bawumia’s music streaming app or Mahama’s pay-per-view TV channel?
2 hours -
Karpowership Ghana empowers 40 Takoradi Technical University students with scholarship
2 hours -
We expect significant reduction in prices of petroleum products in coming weeks – CEO AOMC
3 hours -
Betway Africa offers once-in-a-lifetime ‘Play-on-the-Pitch’ experience at Emirates Stadium
3 hours